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About the ICSC European Conference

Held annually, the ICSC European Conference is an important date in the global retail property calendar. Bringing together the biggest names in the shopping centre industry to discuss the latest issues and trends, it is an essential event for retail thought leaders.

The 2014 European Conference is being held in Istanbul, Turkey on 2-3 April 2014.

"The ICSC annual European Conference is a unique platform where relevant players in the shopping centre industry meet, share knowledge and do business. The conference brings people and ideas together in an inspiring setting and with a good mix of high class lectures, specialist panels and property tours. The forward looking focus triggers the minds of all participants and gives them a reason to come back every year."

Marcel Kokkeel, CEO, Citycon Oyj

Turkey enjoys an historic location on the Silk Road, linking Western Europe and Asia. It is also home to the world’s first shopping centre, the Grand Bazaar built in 1461. The modern era of shopping centres began more than 25 years’ ago with the opening of Galleria in Istanbul in 1988. Today, Turkey is leading the way with the current ‘fourth generation’ of street life shopping centres. Exciting Turkish retailers are also moving cross border from Turkey into Western Europe and the Middle east.

The Turkish retail industry, on the high street and in shopping centres, has expanded significantly over the last few years, with 350 award-winning, world-class shopping centres now covering over seven million square metres of space. Istanbul alone is home to more than 100 shopping centres serving a population of over 14 million people.

It is estimated that over the next three to four years, the total area of shopping centres will reach 10 million square metres in the major cities such as Istanbul and Ankara and across all 81 Turkish cities.

About ICSC

Founded in 1957, ICSC is the global trade association of the shopping centre industry. It has over
60,000 members in more than 90 countries including shopping centre owners, developers,
managers, marketing specialists, investors, retailers and agents, as well as academics and public
officials. For more information visit www.icsc.org/europe